HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 18, 2011) - Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, launched the third annual Halifax International Security Forum (the Forum) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The three-day event will take place in the Maritime capital from November 18th to 20th.

"Each year, the Forum gathers 300 Ministers, military officers, legislators, business leaders, journalists, academics, and senior government officials from around the world to discuss global affairs," said Minister MacKay, "Halifax brings these illustrious thinkers together at a time when we have major issues on our agenda, from the threat of Iran to the impact of the global fiscal situation on security and defence."

Discussions at the Forum will cover a wide range of topics, including changes to the security environment since 9/11, the future of the transatlantic alliance, the Americas, post-revolution dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa in the wake of the Arab Spring, and China.

The Forum is supported by the Department of National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Since the inaugural conference in 2009, National Defence and ACOA have provided approximately $2.5 million each year to help support the Forum.

"The Halifax Forum is already known for fostering frank and dynamic debate and engagements across the range of issues that have an impact on managing global security," Minister MacKay noted. "We are honoured to host our friends and partners from around the world for what has become a unique forum for leading policy-makers and politicians."